One of Desire

The stars swirled atop like a glittering sea. The wind that visited the desert was cold and biting.

The statue that accompanied the two cultivators had changed again. Ban Yuewei shed her youthful innocence for a solemn and bitter expression, baring an appearance similar to the one she donned during Liu Sumeng's trial. She was stripped of her sword and a hand reaching forlornly to the heavens. 

What was she so desperately reaching for? Or who…?

Could it be the man she called her husband, the deity that ultimately manipulated and betrayed her?

Liu Sumeng couldn't begin to guess how he made it out of the last trial in one piece; perhaps it had been something to do with what Yuan Xuelan's trial. Clearly, there was a connection that bound each of their quests. 

But Yuan Xuelan was being oddly silent, looking up at the statue and barely acknowledging the Ivory Sword Saint.